Main
Sunny Shao
4+ years of experience in both qualitative and quantitative survey projects | Proficient in data manipulation and analysis software R, Stata, Python, SQL | Experienced in translating client’s objects into actionable research plans | Familiar with the full ecosystem of demographic survey projects
Education
PhD. Candidate, Political Science
University of California
Riverside, CA
April 2021
- Mass Behavior
M.S., Public Policy
Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA
June 2015
- Economics
B.A., International Communications
Nottingham University
Ningbo, China
June 2013
- Communication Theory & Social Media
Research Experience
Researcher & Center Associate
Center for Social Innovation (UCR)
Riverside, CA
June 2018 - Current
- Led developed and coordinated over 100 data visualization products and survey research projects
- Conducted quantitative research projects with both cross-sectional and longitudinal surveys
- Moderated focus group research and other qualitative in-depth interviews
- Effectively translated stakeholder objectives into actional measurement and research plans
- Developed, programmed, and analyzed quantitative surveys with R and Qualtrics and managed research projects from initiation to closing
Researcher
AAPI Data
Riverside, CA
March 2017 - Current
- Conducted survey bias corrections and performed raking for demographically adjusted sampling weight
- Experienced in delivering research insights as actionable recommendations to the partnering organizations
- Developed survey experiments based on race and ethnicity predicted using surname lexicon and addresses
- Effectively communicated compelling data-driven narrative and explain work, process, and decisions to cross-functional stakeholders
- Key researcher served as the main point of contact for users on experience feedback and updates
Summer Fellow
Education Pioneer
Los Angeles, CA
June 2016 - August 2016
- Tasked to develop a comprehensive evaluation system for student experience programs
- In-depth interviewed with teachers, students, principals, and program coordinators, followed with survey questionnaires about challenges and objectives
- Presented the final report to the School Board and successfully renewed the annual $500k budget to the programs
- Prepared documentation with survey research protocols and designed principles for future program evaluations
Data Analyst Intern
SmartAnalyst
Gurgaon, India
June 2012 - August 2012
- Interviewed thoracic oncologists in Japan and China for pharmaceutical clients, who are on phase II trials of non-small cell lung cancer drugs
- Independently conducted phone interviews with lung cancer specialists in both China and Japan on prescription medication for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer and patient experiences
- Translated three-way phone meetings between client, SmartAnalyst, and Chinese thoracic oncologists
- Crowdsourced a list of thoracic oncologists through medical journals
Survey Projects & Focus Group Study
Quarterly Quantitative Survey - Southern California Resident Survey on Political Opinions and Policy Attitudes
Center for Social Innovation
N/A
October 2018 - October 2020
- Lead Researcher
Focus Group Study - California Low Propensity Voter Engagement
Center for Social Innovation
N/A
June 2020 - August 2020
- Lead Researcher & Chinese Focus Group Moderator
Biannual Quantitative Research - Asian American Voter Survey Attitudes and Opinions
AAPI Data
N/A
October 2018 - August 2020
- Lead Researcher
Mix-Method Survey - Inland Empire Covid-19 Nonprofit Survey of Needs and Best Practices
Center for Social Innovation
N/A
March 2020 - June 2020
- Lead Researcher
Qualitative Survey - Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Visibility Survey
AAPI Data
N/A
April 2018 - May 2018
- Lead Researcher
Quantitatie Survey - 2016 National Asian American Survey
AAPI Data
N/A
March 2017 - May 2017
- Researcher
Data Dashboards
Research Reports
Reaching Low-Propensity Voters in California’s November 2020 Elections: Recommendations from focus group research and community partner engagement
California Common Cause & Center for Social Innovation
N/A
August 2020
Untapped Power: The Strength of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Working People
APALA & AAPI Data
N/A
November 2019
Analytics Blog
Understanding the Struggles of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
Authored with Dr. Janelle Wong & Dr. Karthick Ramakrishnan
N/A
November 2019
Here’s what you need to know about AAPIs running for Congress in 2018
Authored with Dr. Sono Shah
N/A
October 2018
Record Gains in AAPI Voting Likely to Continue Through 2020
Authored with Dr. Sono Shah & Dr. Karthick Ramakrishnan
N/A
September 2018
Teaching & Workshop Experience
ArcGIS Lab
Center for Social Innovation
Riverside, CA
August 2020 - current
Analyzing ACS data with tidyverse and tidycensus R packages
Center for Social Innovation
Riverside, CA
March 2020 - July 2020
Infographic Design with Adobe illustrator
AAPI Data
Riverside, CA
May 2019
Data Narrative Action (DNA): Data Visualization & Cesus Factfinder Tools
Social Innovation Institute
Riverside, CA
July 2018
Applied Econometrics & Microeconomics
School of Public Policy, Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA
September 2014 - June 2015
Presentations & Invited Talks
Census Outreach and the Continuum of Civic Engagement
Politics of Race, Immigration, and Ethnicity Consortium
Riverside, CA
December 2019
How Perception of living experiences shape political enagement of Immigrants?
Politics of Race, Immigration, and Ethnicity Consortium
Irvine, CA
March 2017
2020 Census and Beyond: New Tool for AAPI Census Efforts
Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy
Virtual
July 2020
2018 and Beyond: Data, Narrative, and Action
Advancing Justice Conference
Atlanta, GA
March 2019
Resources for Engaging in the Debate Over Data Disaggregation
Association of Asian American Studies
San Francisco, CA
June 2018
Key Patterns and Trends Among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders: Chinese American Demographics & Political Engagement
National Conference of State Legislators
Los Angeles, CA
May 2018
Should Federal Government Mandate Vaccination for Children
RAND LA Policy Symposium
Santa Monica, CA
January 2015
Selected Press
Chinese American Trump fans raise election recount funds on WeChat: New fundraising arm preps for comeback, quietly steers some donations to debts
Nikkei Asia
N/A
November 2020
US Election Special III: Election results update, Chinese Americans’ voters in NYC
RTHK 31 Cable Network
N/A
June 2020
Honors and Awards
Coulter Foundation GSA Grant
N/A
N/A
March 2017 - current
Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society
N/A
Malibu, CA
May 2015 - current
2020 Rstudio conference Diversity Scholarship
N/A
San Francisco, CA
February 2020
UCR Dean’s Distinguished Fellowship
N/A
Riverside, CA
September 2016 - June 2017
Pepperdine Graduate School Scholarship Award
N/A
Malibu, CA
September 2013 - June 2015
Pepperdine Dean’s Distinguished Fellowship
N/A
Malibu, CA
June 2014 - September 2014